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Theatre Bristol Presents “The Mockingbird Sings”: Live On Stage The 1927 Bristol Sessions Story Sept 4-6 & 9-10
Talented cast announced for this uniquely Bristol story about the musical influences on the big bang of country music at the Theatre Bristol ARTspace
Theatre Bristol brings The Mockingbird Sings back to its ARTspace Stage September 4-6 and 9-10, leading into the 2026 Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion Festival with a special presentation of this uniquely Bristol recording sessions story with a uniquely Bristol-area cast under the direction of Susan McNabb and Barbara Walton. Tickets are on sale now for this limited engagement live performance at www.theatrebristol.org/tickets.
The Mockingbird Sings weaves a story of love and the history of country music leading up to the recordings and discoveries of Jimmie Rodgers, Pops Stoneman, The Carter Family, and many others. The Mockingbird Sings was written by Dr. Nancy Hamblen Acuff, Terry Harkleroad, and Sharon Cort.
Our Eddie Snow, played by Nikalas Johner, is at a crossroads, influenced by generations of music, such as the Irish Singer played by Martha Hawk, through his grandmother Eula Mae Broome, played by Susan McNabb. The wishes of Eddie’s mother, Lucy Snow played by Sarah Maxfield, come up against the time he’d rather spend playing music with friends Arlee McKerr played by Rob Nicar and Royal Campbell played by Reece Hilt. Royal’s friends and band members are played by Eamon Russell, Abby Cheek and Reese Davis.
King University college student Mary Martha, played by Samarah Pace, tires of Ray English, played by Johnny Archer, and falls for “our Eddie,” as narrator Chris McVey calls him. With Mary Martha, Eddie finds his courage and ventures out to WOPI radio with announcer Troy, played by Tony DeVault, on to the Bristol recording sessions, and all the way to the Grand Ole Opry. Along the journey, Eddie gets schooled in the blues by the train porter Toney played by Freddy Heath, and inspired by an Old Codger played by Richard Albright.
Ralph Peer, played by Jordan Wines, and Monique Peer, played by Hunter Wines, travel to Bristol to record the music of Pops Stoneman played by Dennis Farris with Stoneman children Blair Atchley, Eliza Brown, Finn Hilt, Willow Maine, Emilia Scheuer, Jayma Skeens; Jimmie Rodgers played by Richard Albright; the Carter family with Lorri Jones as Maybelle, Barbara Walton as Sara, and Tony DeVault as A.P.; and one Eddie Snow. In a featured role, CanJoe*John is played by none other than CanJoe*John.
The cast is rounded out by Stage Manager played by Abby Cheek, Registrar by Reese Davis, the Mother by Jessica Scheuer; Square Dance Caller by Chester Williams with Square Dancers Avery Brooks, Skylar Scheuer, Kensley Taylor, Natalea Wallace, and Aliana Williams; and Townspeople played by Kealee Bowman and Leslie Jarrett.
The Mockingbird Sings band includes music director Barbara Walton on upright bass, Dennis Farris on banjo, Rob Nicar on fiddle, Eamon Russell on mandolin, Richard Albright on guitar, Martha Hawk on autoharp, and Susan McNabb on dulcimer and autoharp.
Returning after sold-out houses, The Mockingbird Sings is directed by Susan McNabb and Barbara Walton. They are supported by stage managers Bethaney Hilt and Reece Hilt, costume designer Katie Cheek, props artisan Rebecca Ryan, graphic designer Camille Gray, scenic artist Faith Walker, tech director Albert Tester, and producer Samantha Gray. The Mockingbird Sings is presented by special arrangement with Terry Harkleroad and Sharon Cort.
With support from title sponsor The Sessions Hotel, The Mockingbird Sings will be on the ARTspace stage Friday, Saturday, and Sunday September 4-6 and Wednesday and Thursday September 9-10 for the weekend and days before the 2026 Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion Festival. Tickets are $16 for adults for $17.70 with fees, and $12 for seniors and students for $13.50 with fees, and are available, and are available at www.theatrebristol.org/tickets.
This Tennessee America 250 project is funded in part under an agreement with the State of Tennessee administered by the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial.
The Mockingbird Sings is part of Theatre Bristol’s 2026 Season of comedies, dramas, and musicals based in the USA in celebration of 250 years, including American Tall Tales with River’s Way; Charlotte’s Web; Red, White and Tuna; Grease; Deathtrap; and It’s A Wonderful Life – The Musical; and the Cathy DeCaterina School of Theatre Arts classes; The Spongebob Musical: Youth Edition; PLAYtime in the ARTspace; The StART of Adventure summer camp; and audition and stagecraft workshops.
Founded in 1965 by Cathy DeCaterina, Theatre Bristol is a 61-year-old nonprofit community theatre located on historic State Street in downtown Bristol in both Tennessee and Virginia. Its dramas, comedies, and musical productions take place in the black box ARTspace theatre, the historic Cameo Theatre, and at the Paramount Center for the Arts. Theatre Bristol is a volunteer-operated community organization and invites everyone to get involved.
For more information, visit www.theatrebristol.org, follow TheatreBristolTN on Facebook, call 423-212-3625, or email info@theatrebristol.org.